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The age of distraction is upon us. Studies show we work for an average of just 40 seconds in front of a computer before we’re sidetracked. Whether we’re writing an email or having dinner with a friend, we spend half of our time and attention on what’s not in front of us.

In Hyperfocus, Chris Bailey, author of The Productivity Project, turns his attention to our attention – to decipher how we think and achieve things, and how we can do it better.

In this practical guide to managing our brains, Bailey offers a methodology to become more productive, creative and happier, both at work and at home. Productivity is not about busyness. It’s about doing the right thing in each moment.

Bailey takes us through practical techniques to increase our awareness, focus better, and potentially achieve more in a couple of hours than we may in a day.
Neuroscientists have found we have two major modes of thinking – a focused, productive mode they call “hyperfocus” and a creative mode, or “scatterfocus”, where we let our minds wander more freely, and find more unexpected connections between disparate ideas.

The key is to set aside time for both modes: hyperfocusing when the time is right and intentionally scatterfocusing when we can. (Scatterfocusing is most effective when we are doing something habitual, such as going for walk.)

While this book at times points out the obvious, it has plenty of food for thought. Because just as you are what you eat, you are what you pay attention to.

Today’s digital networks are no longer an adjunct to business, they have become the substance of it. If you are not ensuring your company is prepared for a cyber threat you could be in for some nasty surprises.

Ray Rothrock is one of America’s leading cybersecurity experts and warns that if your business is connected to the internet, it’s at risk. Cybersecurity must be seen as an integral part of an organisation – not a reluctant expense instigated by the IT department.

Rothrock offers no magic bullet. It is not enough, he says, to simply erect a firewall and hope for the best. In fact, a security wall that cuts you off from threats could also cut you off from business.

While firewalls, guards, access control and encryption are all essential, an organisation must also build digital resilience. The way to do business in today’s connected world is through actively monitoring networks, identifying weaknesses and embedding a recovery plan.

This book was written for C-suite executives so they can clearly understand what’s at stake and how to survive – or even thrive – in an inherently insecure digital environment. Rothrock urges a holistic strategy, and recommends business leaders have an operational philosophy that enables their organisations to operate while under attack, learn from mistakes, and recover as quickly and completely as possible.

While we teach our children to eat with a knife and fork, and ride a bike, let’s face it, few of us impart good money management with much enthusiasm or success.

The seemingly indefatigable Scott Pape, whose book The Barefoot Investor was Australia’s top seller in 2017, turns his focus to kids and how to help them become financially savvy.

Sound too good to be true? Pape’s ideas are original, refreshingly doable – and fun. From how to get your four-year-old child on board, to helping your teenager get their first job, this book is full of useful tips and a must-have for both homes and schools.

But it’s not all about money. Pape has come up with the “barefoot ten” – steps to ensure your child is willing to pitch in around the house, understands the value of helping people in need, and can cook a meal for the family.

The cornerstone is a regular family meal, along with three jam jars and the “family legends” game which inspires storytelling and no-tech togetherness. Pape is under no illusion parents and kids will adopt and maintain any complicated program – three minutes of money management per meal is all that’s required.

There’s a cheeky charm that shines throughout the book. It’s a fun weekend read that could help you set your kids up for a life.

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